implementation method for updating the terminals in batches

ABSTRACT

An implementation method for updating the terminals in batches is applicable to a terminal updating system including at least one terminal and a management server the method comprises: the first step, setting at least one version file server in the terminal updating system, for providing a description file and an updating file required by the updating to the respective terminal; the second step, connecting the respective terminal to the management server which configures a corresponding version file server parameter to the respective terminal; the third step, connecting the respective terminal to the corresponding version file server according to the configuration information and acquiring version updating information; and the fourth step, the respective terminal downloading an updating file and performing the updating according to the version updating information and informing the management server of the updating result. When the number of the terminals is large, it can ensure the normal terminal updating and downloading service, and at the same time, it can realize the terminal updating by the initiative trigger and control and secure the file downloading and updating process safe by a safety security mechanism.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS or PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a national phase of International Application No.PCT/CN2006/003760, entitled “AN IMPLEMENTATION METHOD FOR UPDATING THETERMINALS IN BATCHES”, which was filed on Dec. 30, 2006, and whichclaims priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 200610112576.2, filedAug. 23, 2006.

DESCRIPTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method for updating centralized ordistributed file of a terminal, and more particularly, relates to anautomatic method for updating software and configuration of CPE(customer Premise Equipment) equipment (such as set top box) andintelligent terminal equipment at the user side.

2. Background of the Invention

With the constant progress of science and technology and the continuousdevelopment of the technology in information industries, people couldenjoy more and more convenient services and high-quality life brought bythe high-tech. Particularly in recent years, facing the prospect of theconstant updating of the telecom network and multimedia technology andthe application of the video technology and streaming media technology,the kinds of the terminal equipment providing these new services arebecoming more and more with stronger functions and higherintelligentized level increasingly. The terminals with multimediafunctions are stepping into numerous households in various forms andbecoming indispensable telecom products in people's work, life andentertainment.

The functions and forms of the terminals are various, such as IPTV(Internet Protocol Television) set top box equipment, intelligent mobiletelephone terminal, Bluetooth video IP (Internet Protocol) phone andhome gateway. The customers could watch high-quality TV programs, orderprograms, play on-line interactive games, karaoke show and surf oninternet through the IPTV set top box equipment, which expands the TVfunctions in a traditional sense and universalizes the recreationalfunctions of TV. Customers could use the audio-visual communicationservice provided by IP phone service and enjoy voice service which couldbe compared with the traditional telephone with a low payment;furthermore, the videophone shortens the communication distance betweenpeople. The intelligent mobile phone, a product by combining mobilecommunication terminal and PC (Personal Computer), is much like a PDA(Personal Digital Assistant), through which customers could listen toMP3, download games and MTV and chat on-line using MSN and QQ. Infuture, customers could also enjoy various services of IPTV with themobile phone acting as an IPTV terminal. So many terminal equipments areconnected by the home gateway to be managed and controlled uniformly,and the home gateway is the hinge connecting the telecom operator to thehome network of the customers. At that time, only one cable is enough topossess so many service functions. And this prospect is longed for bypeople.

In general, terminal equipment is neither a pure media player equipment,nor a traditional telecom terminal equipment, but a complicated andintelligentized equipment on which various services could be developed.Thus, said terminal equipment cannot be managed in a traditional way butmaintained in a more intelligentized manner.

The terminal equipment is commonly characterized by a highintelligentized and high automatic degree, has an independent IPaddress, and the terminal equipment could connect to the public networkand corresponding management. According to the requirements of functionsand services, software and firmware and configuration should be updatedcorrespondingly. For common users, the more and more intelligentizedequipment configuration is becoming more and more complex, which leadsto more and more complex management. Though most users only know how touse the intelligentized equipment, they are ignorant as to how toconfigure, optimize and update the same. In order to popularize relatedservices, the telecom operator will not require the users to be quitefamiliar with the equipment but configure and manage the terminalequipment through the management system in favor of convenience of theusers. Therefore, the automatic updating function of the terminalequipment becomes particularly important. The software impediments ofthe terminals could be eliminated by updating the software version, andupdated services could be provided by the same; by updating theconfiguration file, the equipment could be configured automatically,related services could be activated/closed so as to realize the functioncustomized by users and diversified services.

The terminal equipment at the user side is of multiple kinds and largein number, furthermore, since the size of the updating file may be verylarge, there are some technical problems in the updating scheme of theterminal equipment as follows:

-   -   a1) an updating file may be a software version, a application        module or a configuration file of various kinds of equipment,        and various updating files have different versions, therefore,        the management terminal should implement management and        maintenance uniformly to these files;    -   a2) the number of the user terminals may be large, thus, the        server for version downloading may be incapable of meeting the        requirement of large-scale concurrent downloading;    -   a3) the network bandwidth could not provide support to        high-speed concurrent downloading of a large amount, which will        slow down the downloading and updating speed of the terminal and        delay user's normal use of services;    -   a4) how the terminal equipment determines whether updating is        required, when to trigger the updating, and how to transfer the        corresponding updating file parameter and protocol parameter        information to the terminal;    -   a5) how to ensure file downloading and terminal updating        security.

At present, there are several relevant methods for updating software orconfiguration of the terminal equipment; however, all these methodscannot solve the main problems synthetically.

In the most relevant method for automatically updating software ofterminal equipment, the terminal equipment therein cooperates with thecentral office equipment to connect the user terminal to the network.Said method is as follow: the terminal equipment reports the versioninformation of the current software, the terminal management unitdetermines whether the software of the terminal equipment requiresupdating; if the updating is required, an updating command is sent tothe terminal equipment to make the updating software being downloaded bythe terminal software to fulfill the updating.

However, said method has the following defects:

-   -   b1) the cases when the number of the terminals is large are        neglected. The determination logic and control logic of updating        are completely located at the terminal management unit server        side; when the number of the terminals is large, the performance        of the management unit would decline and could not provide        downloading and dealing with updating operation logic;    -   b2) perfect safety security measures are not provided.

The existing method for automatically updating configuration of the nextgeneration network terminal is also comparatively relevant. In thismethod, the terminal acquires the program version and configuration fileinformation from the next generation network to determine whetherupdating program file and loading configuration file are required, andthe terminal automatically downloads files from the file server toperform the updating and loading if the updating and loading arerequired. This invention is able to download the correct configurationfile and program version to run normally without manual intervention soas to elevate configuration efficiency to a large extent.

However, said method has the following defects:

-   -   c1) the problem of downloading performance has not been solved        when the number of the terminals is large;    -   c2) meanwhile, the management terminal has no management        function to control updating of the terminal, and the management        unit is unable to perform a compulsive updating to the terminal        when it is necessary;    -   c3) perfect safety security measures are not provided.

In addition, the following two methods for automatically configuring andupdating are comparatively relevant, wherein, the first methods forautomatically configuring the network terminal comprises the followingsteps:

-   -   step a, pre-storing the information such as domain name of the        management server, terminal equipment ID, authentication        information in the terminal equipment;    -   step b, powering up the terminal to make the terminal        automatically acquire IP address;    -   step c, initiating a HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) request        to the management server according to the pre-stored domain name        of the management server;    -   step d, the terminal sends heartbeat message at a regular time        to maintain the HTTP connection between the terminal and the        management server after the connection is setup;    -   step e, performing authentication and certification by the        authentication message beared on SOAP (Simple Object Access        Protocol) on the same HTTP pathway;    -   step f, the authorized user could performing work such as        automatic downloading, automatic updating of software version by        when authentication is passed.

The above method could power up the network terminal equipment whichcould be used directly after being connected to the network.

The other method is a method for on-line updating the network terminalproduct. This method comprises forward direction learning process andbackward direction learning process, an updating scheme adopting pingpong mechanism, and dealing with the updating operation with the mannerof making MINISYSTEM and SYSTEM coexistent so as to make the terminalcapable of running normally in any case, elevate anti-destructioncapability of the terminal system and enhance strength of the terminalsystem, which further achieves the capability of no-manual-interventionupdating, and even unmanned updating and realizes safe, flexible andstable ability of self-updating.

However, the two methods above still neither solve the problem in caseswhere the number of the terminals is large, nor provide safety securitymechanism to the flow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide animplementation method for updating the terminals in batches, forensuring normal services of the terminal updating and downloading, andinitiative triggering and controlling updating of the terminal andmeanwhile ensuring the file downloading and updating process security bya safety security mechanism.

In order to achieve the objects above, the present invention provides animplementation method for updating the terminals in batches, applicableto a terminal updating system including at least one terminal and amanagement server, characterized in that the method comprises:

-   -   Step 1, setting at least one version file server in the terminal        updating system, for providing a description file and an        updating file required by updating to the respective terminal;    -   Step 2, connecting the respective terminal to the management        server, and the management server making a corresponding version        file server parameter configuration for the respective terminal;    -   Step 3, the respective terminal connects to the corresponding        version file server according to configuration information to        acquire version updating information; and    -   Step 4, the respective terminal downloads an updating file for        updating according to the version updating information, and        informs the management server of updating result.

In the Step 2 of the implementation method for updating the terminals inbatches, the management server configures the server parameter inautomatic program manner or manual configuration manner.

In the Step 2 of the implementation method for updating the terminals inbatches, the management server configures a version file serverparameter corresponding to the respective terminal according to acorresponding relation policy between the respective terminal and theversion file servers; and the corresponding relation policy is:

-   -   if the terminal updating system disposes one version file        server, the respective terminal will correspond to the version        file server; if the terminal updating system disposes a        plurality of version file servers, one version file server        therein will be taken as a host version file server, the others        will be taken as distributed version file servers, and version        file servers corresponding to the respective terminal will be        allocated equally according to a policy.

The step 2 of the implementation method for updating the terminals inbatches further comprises a step of after the server parameterconfiguration is completed, the management server triggers autonomousupdating of the respective terminal by an updating trigger command, ortelecom business operation support system informs the respectiveterminal and the management server of an trigger-updating by a generatedworksheet.

The step 2 of the implementation method for updating the terminals inbatches further comprises a step of determining whether the respectiveterminal has a graphic interface. If the respective terminal has agraphic interface, and an user receives an updating trigger command whenusing a terminal service, the user will be prompted by the graphicinterface whether to update. When the user agrees to update, connect tothe version file server to update; otherwise, do not update and return areason of updating termination to the management server; if therespective terminal has no graphic interface, and the user receives theupdating trigger command when using the terminal service, do not updateand return a reason of updating termination to the management server.

The step 2 of the implementation method for updating the terminals inbatches further comprises a step of after the server parameterconfiguration is completed, the management server updates the respectiveterminal compulsively by a compulsive updating command, or telecombusiness operation support system informs the respective terminal andthe management server of an trigger-updating by a generated worksheet.

The step 2 of the implementation method for updating the terminals inbatches further comprises a step of determining whether the respectiveterminal has a graphic interface. If the respective terminal has agraphic interface, and an user receives a compulsive updating commandwhen using terminal service, the user will be prompted by the graphicinterface whether to update. When the user agrees to update, connect tothe version file server to update; otherwise, do not update and return areason of updating termination to the management server; if therespective terminal has no graphic interface, and the user receives thecompulsive updating command when using the terminal service, do notupdate and return a reason of updating termination to the managementserver.

In the steps 3 and 4 of the implementation method for updating theterminals in batches, the respective terminal will not be updated in thecase of the user is using a service and cannot be interrupted; theterminal will be updated in the case of the terminal is not in use and aterminal updating will not affect a service in use.

In the steps 3 and 4 of the implementation method for updating theterminals in batches, if the respective terminal acquires versionupdating information by downloading and analyzing the description file,the respective terminal will download the description file according tosecurity file transfer protocol or file transfer protocol; thedescription file is a security-encrypted file and the decryption key ofthe description file is configured by the management server whenconfiguring the server parameter.

In the step 3 of the implementation method for updating the terminals inbatches, when restarted or at a fixed time interval, the respectiveterminal initiatively connects to the version file server and downloadsa description file when triggered by the management server.

In the step 3 of the implementation method for updating the terminals inbatches further comprises a step of decrypting, checking and verifyingthe description file by the respective terminal if the respectiveterminal acquires version updating information by downloading andanalyzing the description file; if the description file is successfullydecrypted, checked and verified, the respective terminal will analyzecontents of the description file, otherwise, the respective terminalwill quit from the updating flow and connect to the management server toreport failure of updating to the same.

The step 3 of the implementation method for updating the terminals inbatches further comprises a step of the respective terminal determiningwhether updating is required, and determining the modules to be updatedand parameters of path and file size of an updating file according tothe version updating information and version condition corresponding tothe respective terminal if the respective terminal successfully checksthe description file.

Step 4 of the implementation method for updating the terminals inbatches further comprises a step of decrypting, checking and verifyingthe description file by the respective terminal; if the description fileis successfully decrypted, checked and verified, the respective terminalwill be updated, and connected to the management server and reportfailure of updating to the same; otherwise, the respective terminal willconnect to the management server and report failure of updating to thesame.

In the step 4 of the implementation method for updating the terminals inbatches, the terminal updating comprises a software version updating anda configuration file updating of a terminal.

In the implementation method for updating the terminals in batches, thecontinuous execution of a software version updating and a configurationfile updating of the respective terminal are controlled by a manner ofgiving a management command by the management server or a manner set bya description file of the terminal.

The advantageous effects of the present invention are as follow:

-   -   (1), under the management of a management server, a terminal        connects to an specified version file server to acquire version        updating information and analyzes whether an updating is        required. If it is determined that the updating is required, the        terminal will connect to the version file server to perform file        downloading and updating so as to reduce the pressure of        treatment performance of the management server.    -   (2), a plurality of version file servers are disposed to realize        loading balance of the file downloading service so as to ensure        that the file downloading treatment performance and downloading        link bandwidth will not be affected by the number of the        terminals.    -   (3), all the version files in the version file server will be        updated by the management server in synchronization. The        terminal could connect to the version file server when it is        restarted or when a fixed time interval arrives, then, the        terminal enters into the flow of downloading and updating.    -   (4), a management server could initiatively trigger a terminal        to update automatically by a management command; and the        management server also could force the terminal to download and        update by a management command.    -   (5), the various conditions of triggering updating and the        self-determined updating methods of a terminal ensure that the        terminal could accomplish an updating mission with high        efficiency, and meanwhile, the management server could also        control updating of the terminal when it is necessary.    -   (6), a safety file downloading protocol is used in the file        downloading flow of the terminal, which ensures that the file        will not be stolen or tampered in network transfer, and that the        size, integrality and version checking of the file will be        checked when the file is downloaded so as to ensure file        security.

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to thedrawings and exemplary embodiments which should not considered to belimitation to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a management server configuring a serverparameter of version file of a terminal and the terminal automaticallyperforming version updating in the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a management server forcing a terminal toupdate in the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a terminal downloading a file from distributedversion file servers and a host version file server to update in thecase that a plurality of version file servers are disposeddistributively in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a management server configuring a serverparameter of terminal version file and the terminal automaticallyperforming version updating in the present invention. In combinationwith FIGS. 2 and 3, the version updating flow comprises the followingsteps:

-   -   Step 101, a management server 30 synchronizes the various files        used in updating of a terminal 10 with a distributed version        file server 201;    -   wherein, the various files used in updating include a version        updating description file (“a description file” for short) and        an updating file;    -   Step 102, the terminal 10 connects to the management server 30,        the management server 30 configures a version file server        parameter corresponding to the terminal 10;    -   Step 103, the management server 30 triggers the terminal 10 to        update by an updating management command or gives no updating        trigger;    -   wherein, the updating management command is further classified        into an updating trigger command and a compulsive updating        command; the management server 30 makes the terminal 10        automatically update by an updating trigger command and forces        the terminal 10 to update by a compulsive updating command.    -   Step 104, the terminal 10 connects to the distributed version        file servers 201 to acquire version updating information        including information of the current version and updating        conditions;    -   wherein, the terminal could acquire version updating information        by downloading the description file and analyze contents of the        description file, and also could acquire the same through        corresponding management protocol.    -   Step 105, the terminal 10 determines whether an updating is        required according to the acquired version updating information        in combination with its own version condition;    -   Step 106, the terminal 10 connects to the distributed version        file servers 201 to download the updating file;    -   Step 107, performing the updating after the downloaded updating        file is verified by the terminal 10; and    -   Step 108, the terminal 10 connects to the management server 30        to report updating result after the updating is completed.

Wherein, the distributed version file servers 201 and the managementserver 30 could both be called a terminal management system andcompositely set on one piece of physical equipment.

In the step 101 above, the distributed version file servers 201 isdisposed on the public network and maintains link connection with therespective terminal 10 in the system;

-   -   when new version files are issued, the management server 30 will        synchronize all files required by the current updating with the        respective distributed version file server 201; the management        server 30 ensures that the synchronization process of the        version file will not conflict with normal file downloading of        the terminal 10 by a sercurity and mutual exclusion mechanism.

In the step 102 above, the management server 30 protects and maintainsthe corresponding relationship policy between the terminal 10 and theversion file server 20, and configures the version file server parametercorresponding to the terminal 10 according to the correspondingrelationship policy. The configuration function of the management server30 could be realized automatically by the program and also could berealized manually by a manager; the corresponding relation policybetween the terminal 10 and the version file server 20 is: if only oneversion file server 20 is disposed in the system, all the terminals 10in the system are corresponding to the version file server 20; if aplurality of version file servers 20 are disposed in the system, onetherein is taken as a host version file server 202, and the version fileservers 20 corresponding to the terminals 10 will be allocated equallyaccording to a policy (such as principles of nearby service and loadingbalance);

-   -   when there are a plurality of version file servers 20 in the        system, the management server 30 could select one server therein        as the host version file server 202 and the others as        distributed version file servers 201, meanwhile, the management        server 30 will configure the distributed version file servers        parameters of the terminal 10 and the host version file server        parameters, such as address of the server; when the terminal 10        is failed to connect to the distributed version file servers        201, the terminal 10 will connect to the host version file        server 202 to perform file downloading and updating;    -   the management server 30 maintains the files on each distributed        version file server 201 and keeps real-time and synchronous        updating;    -   the distributed version file servers 201 and the host version        file server 202 are both called version file server 20.

In step 103 above, after configuring the distributed version file serverparameter, the terminal 10 could be triggered to perform automaticallyupdating by an updating trigger command of the management server 30; theterminal 10 and the management server 30 could also be informed oftrigger updating by a worksheet generated by BOSS (Business OperationSupport System), and in actual operation, the trigger updating couldalso be directly performed by the manager of the management system.

Determine whether the terminal 10 has a graphic interface. If theterminal 10 has a graphic interface, and an user receives an updatingtrigger command of the management server 30 when using a terminalservice, the user will be prompted by the graphic interface whether toupdate. When the user agrees to update, connects to the distributedversion file servers 201 to update; otherwise, do not update and returna reason of updating termination to the management server 30; if theterminal 10 has no graphic interface, and the user receives the updatingtrigger command of the management server 30 when using the terminalservice, do not update and return a reason of updating termination tothe management server 30.

The file downloading and updating of the terminal 10 are performed inthe premise that the normal use of a service of an user will not beaffected. The terminal 10 will not perform the updating when the user isusing a service which can not be interrupted; corresponding filedownloading and updating of the terminal 10 will be performed when theterminal is not in use and an updating will not affect a service in use.The management server 30 could also give no updating trigger to theterminal 10, but the terminal 10 will automatically perform the updatingwhen it is not in use or the updating will not affect a service in use.

The management server 30 could backup the configuration file of theterminal 10 through a management command, and recover the currentconfiguration of the terminal 10 when it is necessary.

In step 102 and step 103 above, the management protocol for themanagement server 30 managing the terminal 10 is not defined. It couldbe standard TR-069, SNMP network management protocol and user-definedprotocol as well. Wherein, TR-069 is Technical Report 069 CPE WANManagement Protocol, and SNMP is Simple Network Management Protocol.

In step 104 above, the terminal 10 could initiatively connect to thedistributed version file servers 201 to acquire version updatinginformation when restart or at a fixed time interval.

The action of the terminal 10 acquiring version updating informationcould be triggered by the management server 30.

If the terminal 10 acquires version updating information by the methodof downloading a description file, the description file is thesecurity-encrypted file, symmetrical encryption and decryption areadopted between the management server 30 and the terminal 10, and thedecryption key is configured by the management server 30 whenconfiguring the version server parameter.

The distributed version file servers 201 only provides downloadingauthority to the file specified by the terminal 10 and ensure thedistributed version file servers 201 security.

If the terminal 10 acquires version updating information by downloadingand analyzing the description file, the terminal 10 will download thedescription file by a safety file downloading protocol. The downloadingprotocols of the description file include transfer protocols such as FTP(File Transfer Protocol), SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol), HTTPS(Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol), and so on.

If the terminal 10 acquires version updating information by downloadingand analyzing the description file, the terminal 10 firstly performsdecrypting, checking and verifying (such as source verification,integrity verification) after the description file downloading iscompleted. If the description file is successfully verified, theterminal 10 will analyze the contents of the description file;otherwise, the terminal 10 will quit from the updating flow and connectto the management server to report result of failure to the same.

After the description file is successfully verified, the terminal 10acquires the version updating information by analyzing the contentstherein, and determines in combination with its own version conditionwhether an updating is required, and determines the module to be updatedand parameters such as path parameters and file size parameters of anupdating file.

When the terminal 10 determines that an updating is required, a safetyfile downloading protocol (such as SFTP, FTP) will be used to update thefile. As to version files of a larger size, a broken-point continuinglytransferring function could be used in downloading so as to avoidre-downloading caused by network interrupt and long-time downloadingwhich will affect the user in using a terminal service function.

In the step 106 above, the terminal 10 performs decrypting, checking andverifying (such as version checking, integrity checking) to the updatingfile after the updating file downloading is completed by the terminal10. Corresponding updating will be performed after the updating file isverified.

The terminal 10, as an user terminal, downloads a version updating fileby a safty downloading protocol. The downloading protocol could betransfer protocols such as FTP/SFTP/HTTPS and so on.

In the step 107 above, the terminal 10 performs decrypting, checking andverifying (such as version checking, integrity checking) to the updatingfile after the updating file downloading is completed by the terminal10. Corresponding updating will be performed after all the updating fileis verified.

When the updating operation of the terminal 10 does not affect thenormal service of an user or when the terminal is not in use, theterminal 10 accepts an updating command and directly download theupdating file to update.

The continuous updating flow of the terminal 10 could be controlled by amanagement command given by the management server 30 or a descriptionfile agreement set by the terminal 10.

In the step 108 above, after the software of the terminal 10 has beenupdated, the important configuration therein (such as management serveraddress, service server address, service user name/password, publicnetwork connection manner, user name/password connected to the publicnetwork) parameters therein are still maintained and will not be lost.It will be ensured that the operation such as connecting to the publicnetwork, the service server and the managing server and so on will stillbe realized after restarting of the terminal 10 is completed.

In the whole process of updating, the terminal 10 will connect to themanagement server 30 and report the updating result to the same afterthe updating process is completed without considering whether theupdating is successful or not. The manager could analyze the conditionof updating failure and carry out corresponding treatment.

In the updating flow in FIG. 1, whether an updating of the terminal 10is required and which software module or configuration should be updatedand path parameter of an updating file are obtained by the terminal 10automatically acquiring the updating information and analyzes the same.In this method, the logical judgment of updating is located at theterminal side, and the processing capability of the management server 30will not be affected even the number of the terminals 10 is very larger,which reduces the processing pressure of the management server 30.

However, the management server 30 could also directly sent a compulsiveupdating command with a management command to force the terminal 10 toupdate. The compulsive updating command includes variousinformation/parameters of an updating file. After the compulsiveupdating command is received, the terminal 10 immediately connects tothe specified distributed version file servers 201 or the host versionfile server 202 to perform downloading and updating.

Wherein, the distributed version file servers 201 and the managementserver 30 could both be called a terminal management system andcompositely set on one piece of physical equipment.

Refer to FIG. 2, which is a flow chart of a management server forcing aterminal to update in the present invention. In combination with FIGS. 1and 3, the following steps are applied in the flow:

-   -   Step 201, the management server 30 informs the terminal 10 of        updating by a compulsive updating command;    -   Step 202, the terminal 10 connects to the specified distributed        version file servers 201 to download an updating file after the        terminal 10 receiving the compulsive updating command;    -   Step 203, after downloading an updating file is completed, the        terminal 10 performs decrypting, checking and verifying to the        updating file, and performs updating when the updating file is        verified; and    -   Step 204, after the updating is completed, the terminal 10        connects to the management server 30 to report updating result        to the same.

In the step 201 above, the compulsive updating command includes updatingserver parameter information (such as server address, port, connecteduser name/password), version file parameters (such as version file path,version file size);

-   -   before informing the terminal 10 of an updating, the management        server 30 could backup the configuration file of the terminal 10        by a management command, and recover the configuration file of        the terminal 10 when it is necessary;    -   the compulsive terminal updating flow could be informed by a        worksheet generated by BOSS system to the management server 30        to perform compulsive updating, and in the actual operation, the        updating could be performed directly by the manager of the        management system as well.

In the step 202 above, in the process of the terminal connecting to thedistributed version file servers 201 and downloading, if the downloadingcould not be completed due to occurrence of abnormality, the terminal 10will quit from the updating flow and report the reason of correspondingabnormality to the management server 30.

Determine whether the terminal 10 has a graphic interface. If theterminal 10 has a graphic interface, and an user receives a compulsiveupdating command of the management server 30 when using a terminalservice, the user will be prompted by the graphic interface whether toupdate. When the user agrees to update, connect to the distributedversion file servers 201 to update; otherwise, do not update and returna reason of updating termination to the management server 30; if theterminal 10 has no graphic interface, and an user receives a compulsiveupdating command of the management server 30 when using a terminalservice, do not update and return a reason of updating termination tothe management server 30.

In the step 203 above, verify performed to the updating file by theterminal 10 includes at least file size verify, file integrity verifyand version verify to ensure that the updating file has not beentampered, and that the version of the updating file is correct.

One host version file server 202 is disposed as a backup version fileserver in the environment having a plurality of version file servers 20.When the terminal 10 could not connect to the distributed version fileservers 201 to download the file and perform update, the terminal 10could connect to the host version file server 202 to update. In the casethat the management server 30 forces the terminal 10 to update by acompulsive updating command, the terminal 10 uses the version fileserver parameters provided in the compulsive updating command to update,and even if the updating is failed, the terminal 10 will not connect tothe host version file server 202 to retry updating.

The plurality of version file servers 20 only provide the downloadingauthority to files specified by the terminal 10 to ensure thedistributed version file servers 201 and the host version file server202 security.

Wherein, the host version file server 202, the distributed version fileservers 201, the management server 30 could be uniformly called aterminal management system and compositely set on one piece of physicalequipment.

Refer to FIG. 3 which is a flow chart of a terminal downloading a filefrom distributed version servers and a host version file server toupdate in the case that a plurality of version file servers are disposeddistributively in the present invention. In combination with FIGS. 1 and2, the updating flow comprises the following steps:

-   -   Step 301, the terminal 10 connects to the distributed version        file servers 201 to acquire version updating information and        then download an updating file to update;    -   Step 302, after the updating has been successfully performed,        the terminal 10 connects to the management server 30 to report        the result to the same;    -   Step 303, if the terminal 10 failed to connect to the        distributed version file servers 201 to download updating, the        terminal 10 will connect to the host version file server 202 to        perform file downloading and updating;    -   Step 304, after the host version file server 202 has been        successfully updated, the terminal 10 connects to the management        server 30 to report the result to the same.

In the step 301 above, the flow of the terminal 10 connects to thedistributed version file servers 201 to download and update comprisesthe steps 104, 105, 106 and 107 in the flow in FIG. 1.

In the step 303 above, if the terminal 10 does not configure the hostversion file server 202 or there is only one version file server 20 inthe system, the terminal 10 will quit from the updating flow andconnected to the management server 30 to report the failure situation.

In FIG. 3, when number of the terminals 10 managed in the system is verylarge, loading balance of the updating file downloading is achieved bydisposing a plurality of version file servers 20 to meet the performancerequirement of updating terminal version and configuration; themanagement server 30 maintains the file updating and synchronization ofeach version file server 20, maintains the corresponding relation policybetween the terminal 10 and the version file server 20, and configuresthe version file server parameter and the host version file serverparameter corresponding to the terminal 10; as to the case where thenumber of the terminals 10 in the system is less and only one versionfile server 20 is disposed, the management server 30 will configure theversion file server parameters of all the terminals 10 as the parametersof the server; the terminal 10 initiatively connect to the version fileserver 20 to acquire whether an updating is required and obtain theupdating file parameter by the manner of downloading version updatingdescription file; the terminal 10 connects to the version file server 20to download updating file to update; when the terminal 10 fails toconnect to the distributed version file servers 201 and downloadupdating, the host version file server 202 could be selected to beconnected to the terminal 10 to perform file downloading and updating;the management server 30 could trigger an automatic updating of theterminal 10 by an updating trigger command and force the terminal 10 toupdate by a compulsive updating command; and the software versionupdating and the configuration updating of the terminal 10 could becontinuously performed, namely, the configuration file could be updatedimmediately after the software version updating is completed.

In the embodiments of the present invention, safety file downloadingprotocol is used in the version updating description file, the updatingfile downloading and the file synchronization of the version file server20; the version file server 20 only provides a minimum downloadingauthority to the terminal 10, and meanwhile, limits the file and catalogthat could be access by the terminal 10; the terminal 10 performsdecryption and some safety verification to the downloaded file to ensurelegal source and the integrity of the file.

In the present invention, one or more version file servers could bedisposed flexibly according to the number of the terminals; themanagement server configures the version file server parametercorresponding to the terminal; the terminal could initiatively enterinto the updating flow and could be triggered by the management serveras well; the terminal connects to the version file server toautomatically determine whether an updating is required by the manner ofdownloading description file; when it is finally determined that anupdating is required, the terminal connects to the version file serverto download the updating file to update; the terminal will connect tothe management server to report the updating result without consideringwhether the updating is successful or not.

The present invention provides a policy and method combining terminalsoftware and configuration file updating, characterized by safety,reliability and high performance, which could ensure normal updating anddownloading services even if the number of the terminals is large, andthe management server could initiatively trigger and control theupdating process of the terminal and ensure the file downloading andupdating process security when it is necessary.

Under the management of the management system in the present invention,automatic file downloading from the concentrated or distributed versionserver, perform software or configuration updating are realized, andfurther support numerous terminal software updating in batches.

Of course, the present invention could have other various embodiments.According to the present invention, various corresponding modificationsand changes may occur to those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appendedclaims, however, all the corresponding modifications and changes shouldfall within the scope of the appended claims in the present invention.

1. An implementation method for updating the terminals in batches,applicable to a terminal updating system including at least one terminaland a management server, characterized in that the method comprises: a)setting at least one version file server in the terminal updatingsystem, for providing a description file and an updating file requiredby updating to respective terminal; b) the respective terminal connectsto the management server, and the management server making acorresponding version file server parameter configuration for therespective terminal; c) the respective terminal connects to acorresponding version file server according to configuration informationto acquire version updating information; and d) the respective terminaldownloads an updating file for updating according to the versionupdating information, and informs the management server of updatingresult.
 2. The implementation method for updating the terminals inbatches according to claim 1, characterized in that in the step b), themanagement server configures the server parameter in automatic programmanner or manual configuration manner.
 3. The implementation method forupdating the terminals in batches according to claim 1, characterized inthat in the step b), the management server configures a version fileserver parameter corresponding to the respective terminal according to acorresponding relation policy between the respective terminal and theversion file servers; and the corresponding relation policy is: if theterminal updating system disposes one version file server, therespective terminal will correspond to the version file server; if theterminal updating system disposes a plurality of version file servers,one version file server therein will be taken as a host version fileserver, the others will be taken as distributed version file servers,and version file servers corresponding to the respective terminal willbe allocated equally according to a policy.
 4. The implementation methodfor updating the terminals in batches according to claim 1,characterized in that the step b) further comprises the following step:after the server parameter configuration is completed, the managementserver triggers an autonomous updating of the respective terminal by anupdating trigger command or telecom business operation support systeminforms the respective terminal and the management server of antrigger-updating by a generated worksheet.
 5. The implementation methodfor updating the terminals in batches according to claim 4,characterized in that Step b) further comprises a step of determiningwhether the respective terminal has a graphic interface; if therespective terminal has a graphic interface, and an user receives anupdating trigger command when using terminal service, the user will beprompted by the graphic interface whether to update; when the useragrees to update, connect to the version file server to update,otherwise, do not update and return a reason of updating termination tothe management server; if the respective terminal has no graphicinterface, and the user receives the updating trigger command when usingthe terminal service, do not update and return a reason of updatingtermination to the management server.
 6. The implementation method forupdating the terminals in batches according to claim 1, characterized inthat after the server parameter configuration is completed, the step b)further comprises the following step: after the server parameterconfiguration is completed, the management server updates the respectiveterminal compulsively by a compulsive updating command, or telecombusiness operation support system informs the respective terminal andthe management server of an trigger-updating by a generated worksheet.7. The implementation method for updating the terminals in batchesaccording to claim 6, characterized in that the step b) furthercomprises a step of determining whether the respective terminal has agraphic interface; if the respective terminal has a graphic interface,and an user receives a compulsive updating command when using terminalservice, the user will be prompted by the graphic interface whether toupdate; when the user agrees to update, connect to the version fileserver to update, otherwise, do not update and return a reason ofupdating termination to the management server; if the respectiveterminal has no graphic interface, and the user receives the compulsiveupdating command when using the terminal service, do not update andreturn a reason of updating termination to the management server.
 8. Theimplementation method for updating the terminals in batches according toclaim 1, characterized in that in the steps c) and d), the respectiveterminal will not be updated in the case of the user is using a serviceand cannot be interrupted; the terminal will be updated in the case ofthe terminal is not in use and a terminal updating will not affect aservice in use.
 9. The implementation method for updating the terminalsin batches according to claim 1, characterized in that in the steps c)and d), if the respective terminal acquires the version updatinginformation by downloading and analyzing the description file, therespective terminal will download the description file according tosecurity file transfer protocol or file transfer protocol; thedescription file is a security-encrypted file and the decryption key ofthe description file is configured by the management server whenconfiguring the server parameter.
 10. The implementation method forupdating the terminals in batches according to claim 1, characterized inthat in the step c), when restarted or at a fixed time interval, therespective terminal initiatively connects to the version file server anddownloads the description file when triggered by the management server.11. The implementation method for updating the terminals in batchesaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the step c) furthercomprises a step of decrypting, checking and verifying the descriptionfile by the respective terminal if the respective terminal acquires theversion updating information by downloading and analyzing thedescription file; if the description file is successfully decrypted,checked and verified, the respective terminal will analyze contents ofthe description file, otherwise, the respective terminal will quit fromthe updating flow and connect to the management server to report failureof updating to the same.
 12. The implementation method for updating theterminals in batches according to claim 11, characterized in that thestep c) further comprises the following step in the case of the checkingof the description file by the respective terminal is successful: therespective terminal determining whether updating is required, themodules to be updated, path parameters and file size parameters of anupdating file according to the version updating information and versioncondition corresponding to the respective terminal.
 13. Theimplementation method for updating the terminals in batches according toclaim 11, characterized in that Step d) further comprises a step ofdecrypting, checking and verifying the description file by therespective terminal; if the description file is successfully decrypted,checked and verified, the respective terminal will be updated, andconnected to the management server and report updating result to thesame; otherwise, the respective terminal will connect to the managementserver and report failure of updating to the same.
 14. Theimplementation method for updating the terminals in batches according toclaim 1, characterized in that in the step d), the terminal updatingcomprises software version updating and configuration file updating ofthe terminal.
 15. The implementation method for updating the terminalsin batches according to claim 14, characterized in the continuousexecution of the software version updating and the configuration fileupdating of the respective terminal are controlled by a manner of givinga management command by the management server or a manner of setting bythe description file of the terminal.
 16. An implementation method forupdating the terminals in batches, applicable to a system including atleast one terminal and one terminal management system including one ormore version file server, characterized in that the method comprises thesteps of: a) the terminal management system informing a terminal toupdate by a compulsive updating command; b) the terminal connects to aspecified version file server to download an updating file after theterminal receives the compulsive updating command; c) the terminalperforms decrypting, checking and verifying to the updating file afterthe download is completed and performing updating after the updatingfile is successfully verified; and d), the terminal connects to theterminal management system to report updating result to the same afterthe updating is completed.